Salle de Lecture Bibliotheque Sainte-Genevieve is located in Paris. This library inherited the writings and collections of one of the largest and oldest abbeys in Paris and was founded in the sixth century. An interesting fact, the names of 810 scholars are inscribed on the exterior of the library. The second picture (click on it for a larger picture), highlights the inscriptions.

The Strahov Monastery Library is located in Prague and is part of a monastery built in 1143. A fresco adorns the ceiling painted in 1794 and the library contains ancient printing presses found downstairs.

This is the National Library of Finland located in Helsinki. It is the oldest and largest scholarly library in Finland.

This is the end! I will be happy to do more in the series if there’s a really large clamour for it! :)

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Here is Herzog August Bibliothek, located in Wolfenbüttel Germany and established in 1572. In 1666, it was one of the most famous baronial book collections and the collection of medieval manuscripts was one of the most important collections in Europe.

This next library is the El Escorial Library located in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain built in 1584. It contains approximately 5000 manuscripts, many of which are illuminated. Look at that ceiling!

The next is the National Library of St Mark’s or Biblioteca Marciana, located in Venice Italy. Built between 1537-1588, it houses at least a million books and 13000 manuscripts (and includes original scores of operas by Cavalli and Scarlatti). Just for fun, if you click on the second picture, it will take you to a Youtube video of a couple dancing the tango in that very room.

Lastly, there is the National Library of France, or La Bibliothèque nationale de France, located in Paris. It originated as a part of the private Royal Library at The Louvre in 1368. It currently has 30 million items housed in its walls.

Part 3 wil be the final post on the European Library series. Thanks for reading it so far!

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I thought I would take a short break from my supernatural-based posts and continue with the Beautiful Libraries series. There are so many beautiful libraries in Europe that the ones I’m featuring are just a drop in the bucket! So naturally, I’ve left some out. So, in no particular order…

This is an exterior and interior shot of the Austrian National Library or Österreichische Nationalbibliothek. It is located in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna and is the largest library in Austria. The oldest book in its collection is from the Middle Ages and is about 640 years old! If you click on the first photo it will take you to the official library website and the second photo will take you to a panoramic tour of the inside of this amazing building!

This next library is the St. Gallen Abbey Library in Switzerland. The library was established by the monks in 717 who considered books as medicine for the spirit. So true! It is currently a Unesco World Heritage site.

The Bibliotecha Casanatense is located in Rome, Italy and was established in 1701. It contains medieval manuscripts, books, and incunabula as well as two globes (one of the world and one of constellations) hand-painted in 1716.

The Handelingenkamer Tweede Kamer Der Staten-Generaal Den Haag is located at The Hague in The Netherlands. The official reporters of the Parliamentary Reporting Office record all proceedings and debates. These reports (Handelingen) are stored in the library. It was built in the 18th century with a glass dome for a ceiling to allow in natural light.

I will continue this in 2 more parts. My preference is to give information in small pieces at a time :)